Active Directory

If you have a Windows Active Directory-based network, you can install Desktop Central in a central location and manage all the computers within the Active Directory. For more information, see Architecture for LAN.

Novell eDirectory

If you have a Novell eDirectory-based network, you should ensure that all the computers you are managing within this network have a common set of credentials.

Workgroup

If you have a workgroup-based network, you can manage the computers in the workgroup from a central location. You should ensure that all the computers have a common set of credentials. For more information, see Architecture for LAN.

Branch or Remote Offices

Desktop Central's WAN architecture helps you to manage Windows computers that span across multiple locations. These computers can be connected using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or through the Internet. When computers in different locations are connected using the Internet, the Desktop Central server should be installed and configured as an edge device. This means that the designated port should be accessible through the Internet. You need to adopt necessary security standards to harden the operating system where the Desktop Central server is installed.

You must open the following Web ports in the server:

8020: Used for agent-server communication and to access the Web console

8027: Used to complete on-demand tasks like inventory scanning, patch scanning, remote control, remote shutdown and moving agents from one remote office to another

Roaming Users

You can manage the computers of mobile or roaming users who connect to your network using a VPN connection or through the Internet. The agent installed in their computers contacts the Desktop Central server installed in your network periodically. It gathers information about the necessary instructions and executes the same. It also updates the data and status information in the Desktop Central server. For more information, see Architecture for WAN.

Multiple Domains

You can use Desktop Central to manage computers in multiple domains* as follows:

Multiple domains in the same LAN

Multiple domains that span across the globe

Any combination of Active Directory, workgroup or Novell eDirectory-based networks

The computers within the same domain or workgroup should have a common set of credentials irrespective of the domains they are combined with. For more information, see Architecture for WAN and Architecture for LAN.

*Refers to Active Directory, workgroups or other directory-based networks